National News
Eritrea will not compromise its sovereignty for the sake of a handful of aid: President
By Staff
May 17, 2008, 14:14

Asmara, 17 May 2008 - President Isaias Afwerki said that Eritrea will not compromise its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security for the sake of a handful aid, for this is the question of generations and existence. The President made the salient points in an interview he gave to a renowned French newspaper, Le Monde.

President Isaias underscored that Eritrea would not apply cosmetics simply to please the US Administration or any other party, for doing so is tantamount to committing a strategic political error. “Despite the fact that the US Administration left no stone unturned and resorted to fabrication of lies aimed at tarnishing Eritrea’s image through monopolizing world media outlets, we are not at all inclined to abandon our cherished objectives and modify our real image in order to satisfy those parties that hold hostile attitude against us,” he underlined.

Noting that lie has become the political culture and daily practice of the US Administration, the President pointed out that Washington’s policies in the world in general and the Horn of Africa in particular have failed, and that the American people too reject both the domestic and foreign policy of the Administration. In this regard, he indicated that simply because the US Administration fails to tackle a certain issue, it labels a false charge and points an accusing finger against others.

On the Eritrean-Ethiopian border issue, President Isaias explained that Washington has been impeding the implementation of the Boundary Commission’s final and binding ruling for about 6 years in the UN Security Council, and as such it has become part of the conflict. Indicating that the border issue has reached legal and technical conclusion through the Commission’s virtual demarcation that has been presented to both sides and the concerned parties, he elaborated that Eritrea is repeatedly calling for the United Nations and its Security Council to respect the rule of law and fulfill their obligation.

Noting that the US Administration has become the worst violator of human rights and international laws following the end of the Cold War, the President stated: “Respect to international laws and regional as well as international institutions is not in Washington’s agenda.”

In reply to a question regarding the so-called border problem between Eritrea and Djibouti, President Isaias underscored that the matter is a wild invention with backing from behind. Stating that Eritrea is conducting an investigation to identify the motives, details and the backing from behind, the President pointed out that Eritrea is not inclined to get engaged in public relations propaganda gimmick. “We are not willing to accept an invitation to get involved in a new problem or regional crisis,” he underlined.